Donkeys Have Souls Too

Original Airdate: 11.04.2007

Season 12 kicks off as teams fly from L.A. to Ireland. After some high wire bicycling and stubborn donkeys, Azaria & Hendekea claim 1st place and win a trip to Alberta while Ari & Staella are Philiminated.

How to tell if reality TV shows are recycling shots: Read the numbers. At first glance, the shot of Phil on top of the Westin Bonaventure hotel in downtown Los Angeles looks suspiciously like a shot from a recent episode of "America's Next Top Model," but it's not.

I don't think that I have been so excited to see The Amazing Race on TV since Season 8. I really thought that it would be canceled, and that I would miss out on all of the fun I have doing this column, and going to the TARflies lunch. Thank you, CBS.